Deadline for FilmFest 4-H registration is July 15

COLUMBIA, Mo. – 4-H members from across the nation can learn about stunt work, special effects makeup, satellite and grip trucks, and filmmaking at the annual National 4-H Film Festival, Aug. 3-6 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac.

Registration deadline is July 15, said Bradd Anderson, University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development specialist. Now in its fourth year, FilmFest 4-H continues to grow in popularity.

Anderson says the event features an outstanding lineup of film industry professionals again this year. New to this year’s event is casting director Joni Tackette. Her credits include “Up in the Air” starring George Clooney, “Hannah Montana: The Movie,” and the HBO miniseries “John Adams.”

Makeup artist Jeff Lewis makes a return appearance. He will create feature-quality special effects makeup in a hands-on, interactive workshop. The six-time Emmy nominee’s credits include work on all of the recent “Star Trek” series.

A winner of four Emmy and six Telly awards, photojournalist Russ Weston brings to life his experiences in extreme remote locations. His extensive client list includes the BBC, Discovery Channel, “Late Night with Letterman,” NASA and major television networks. He will give attendees an in-depth look at a satellite truck.

Writer and director Emily Hagins began her feature film-directing career at 12. Now 21, she has made four feature films, including “My Sucky Teen Romance,” a film about an innocent teen who falls in love with a vampire at a sci-fi convention.

David Houlle, lighting director, owns the largest film and lighting equipment rental business in Missouri. He will show grip trucks, dollies and sleds, grip and rigging equipment, smoke machines, sound machines, and car mounts.

Members of Coolfire Studios, an Emmy Award-winning team of postproduction professionals and storytellers, recently announced that they would make presentations as well.

For registration and other information, go to http://4h.missouri.edu/go/events/filmfest/. Each youth must have a chaperone present at the event.

University of Missouri Extension and Missouri 4-H Center for Youth Development sponsor the annual FilmFest.